How can a NZLAV cast as much as an Abrams tank?

[Aussie Digger]

I also think that the fact that the Abrams are "just" overhauled surplus M1A1s with some new equipment is a big factor. Just look at the tank market. With all the Leopard 2 from Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland, the Ts from eastern europe and the will of the US to spread some of their Abrams the tank market is much more a buyers market than the one for modern APCs, IFVs and mine protected vehicles.
These vehicles are a big market these days with all these peacekeeping missions going on for which they are the vehicles number one.

@Aussie Digger
You bought DM53 rounds? I thought you buy some US tungsten penetrators. Especially while DM53 is more vulnerable to extreme temperatures than DM63, so DM63 should be much more usefull for a country like big, hot Aussieland.

Actually you are correct. We have purchased the KEW-A2 - APFSDS - Tungsten round, along with MPAT and new "Canister" rounds along with necessary training rounds etc.

The info was found here:

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1145/topstories/story20b.htm

 

[Waylander]

Rheinmetall says that DM43 is self invented.

With a L/55 the power of a DM53 is a big step forward compared to latest US rounds. With L/44 they are said to be relatively equal.
In the end the construction of the penetrator is much more important than DU or not DU. Modern wolfram compositions are nearly equal but they are also much more expensive.

 

[Grand Danois]

With the ongoing discussion in mind, I would think this is of interest.


ATK and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Complete First-Ever Successful 120mm Tank Ammunition Demonstration in Leopard 2 Tanks
US Companies Fire 60 Rounds Against Variety of Targets From Both Standard and Long Barrel Leopard 2's

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) recently completed the first of its kind European demonstration of U.S. 120mm tank ammunition in the Leopard 2 Tank. Representatives from 12 allied nations witnessed the successful demonstrations which were conducted at the Oksboel Range and Training Area in Denmark. In total, ATK and GD-OTS fired 60 rounds of multiple types and at various temperatures from standard barrel length and extended barrel length Leopard 2's. All test objectives were met.

"We have proved unequivocally that US 120mm rounds have the accuracy and firepower Leopard 2 tank commanders need to perform their mission," said Jed Holzapfel, Vice President International Business. "The rounds performed as expected against a wide variety of targets, at different ranges and temperatures to demonstrate not just accuracy and lethality, but to ensure that they can be fired safely and effectively from the Leopard 2 tanks."

ATK and GD-OTS fired high performance KEW A2 tungsten long-rod penetrator rounds, M830A1 multi-purpose rounds, M1002 training ammunition and the new M1028 canister round. Targets included armored vehicles, simulated helicopters and a variety of witness panels. The series of tests extended over several days in mid-September and the success of the demonstration is expected to provide Leopard 2 users with cost-effective, combat proven alternatives to the current range of ammunition in European service.

ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/ .

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation.

http://atk.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=622

 

[Waylander]

If I just look at the V0 of the M829A1 and A3 I see that they are 1575 and 1555m/s fast. If I compare this to a DM53 with min. 1750m/s I see a clear advantage in terms of speed.
That you are ble to use them with the Leos is not surprising with the Abrams using the L/44.
Much more interesting than the KEs could be the other rounds for Leopard users.
The M380A1 HEAT-MP-T "MPAT" and the M908 HE-OR-T are nice rounds are for sure a usefull secondary round next to a KE.
The Iraq and some peacekeeping missions showed that those kind of rounds are videly and successfully used.
For me they seem to be a better choice than the Rheinmetall HE we are introducing.

 

[KiwiRob]

That's nearly 7MUSD per Abrams... pretty expensive IMHO.
Do you have more info about how far "refurbished" they were? I mean, are they US Army stored M1A2s with the AIM upgrade or old-stuff M1A0 or IPM1 pulled out of the mothballs and brought to M1A2 standard first?

Looks like the AIM upgrade is worth some bucks in terms of battlefield management, anyhow.

Just watched a program on discovery about refurbing abrams tanks, they completely strip and rebuild everything to the current standard, so a refurb is really a new tank, the tanks rolling down the paint line had kangaroos painted on them.